Tuesday, March 22, 2016

Room Makeover for a Women's Shelter.....Center for Transforming Lives

www.transforminglives.org

I have been very busy this past year, really too busy doing projects that I didn't have much time to write about them.My first project to share with you took place last fall. I had the privilege of doing a room makeover for this very incredible organization called Center for Transforming Lives (formally the YWCA). They provide so many different programs for homeless families. Their motto is to move women, children and families from poverty to independence through housing stability, affordable high-quality child care and financial empowerment coaching.They have 3 businesses that help support their organization. The Resale shop, a catering company and a wedding venue called Historic YWCA.

I first found out about this organization a few years ago. I was working on a project in my garage, as I grabbed for a newspaper to use I noticed the front page had a story about how a women's bible study did a room makeover for this organization. My heart leapt for joy when I saw this. I had to find out more about this so I called them immediately. Come to find out in my excitement I didn't notice that the paper was several years old. The woman I spoke with said they now have tours of the facility so I found out when the next tour was and went.I knew when I was there that I needed to do something to help but at the time I wasn't in a position to do a room makeover so instead the women in my bible study made up a large gift basket for incoming women. It was filled with toothpaste, women's products, laundry detergent, etc.In January 2015 I felt lead to start working on a room makeover. So I started asking for donations and started searching garage sales and estate sales looking for decor items.Some people may think this isn't a necessity for homeless abused women but when you come into a safe serene environment it starts to melt the anxiety away making room for their personal transformation to begin.I have never been in a situation like this. I can't imagine how it must feel to have no family or home and to live on the streets exposed to all kinds of harm. If all I can do to help is create a nice room that will help to restore their dignity and give them a comfort they haven't experienced in a while maybe never, then that's what I want to do......

So to get started I prayed and asked God to direct my steps and bring all the items together. Boy did he! I want to give a very special THANKS to the staff there, my husband, my mom/her boyfriend, my Aunt Deloris, and my friend Nancy. Without all of you I would not have been able to pull it off!!!The neatest part was the color scheme. I didn't know at the time that they were changing their name and logo which happened to be the exact colors I used in the room....but God sure did.That's what is so fun about letting Him lead your life. He really knows how to take what we have to offer to bless others around us.I was so excited to see it all come together, I couldn't have done it without everyone's help. Thank you all so much!!

When I got started I was so excited I forgot to take before pictures so this is a picture of the room next door.

This chair just appeared on my door step during my gathering stage of this project, maybe by a neighbor who knows I redo furniture. Thank you so much to whoever left it! It sure made a great impact on this space. All it needed was a little spray paint and removal of a blanket stapled over the fabric.

Helping me here is Alisha.

I love her story how she came to work here. After graduating college she wasn't sure what she really wanted to do. She found out they were looking for volunteers so she reached out to them for an opportunity to help out where she could. This turned into a full time job as the volunteer outreach coordinator. She does a great job! She really helped me so much in the project. Thank you Alisha....

Her story is inspiring. When you first leave college, trade school, or high school it can be difficult to find your way in this world. All of us are made for different things, just start somewhere and see where it leads.....

If you are looking for a place to donate items or money please consider the Center for Transforming lives.